But the top Democrat in the House of Representatives says lawmakers still need to raise more revenue. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi told CBS' “Face the Nation” that when it comes to taxes, “I'm saying that's not off the table.”

Pelosi said lawmakers need to look at ending deductions and tax breaks for special interest groups and industries that are doing well and do not need them.

The arguments come less than a week after lawmakers passed a compromise deal that delayed the fiscal cliff — a combination of higher taxes and deep spending cuts aimed at fixing the country's chronic budget deficits and mounting debt, now at more than $16 trillion.

The measure stopped tax increase from going into effect for all but the very richest Americans. But it also gave the president and lawmakers an additional two months to decide on spending cuts before the austerity measures are imposed.

Additionally, Congress will soon have to vote on whether to increase the country's borrowing limit. Officials say the country only has enough money to pay its bills for about another two months, before it will need to borrow more money to pay existing debts.

Some economists warn a failure to resolve either issue could plunge the country into another recession.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he is optimistic lawmakers can avoid another fiscal crisis, saying “we could do things very quickly – these are not new issues.”

Republican lawmakers also used the Sunday political talk shows to air concerns about former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, who is expected to be President Obama's choice to be the next secretary of defense.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told CNN's “State of the Union” that Hagel would be a controversial pick.

Graham criticized Hagel for being antagonistic toward Israel and for being too willing to compromise with Iran.

The number-two Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin told CNN's “State of the Union” that Hagel would be a “serious candidate” for the post if he were nominated.